"Countersuit discussion once Croatia drops charges"

The government believes the best way to solve disputes, including genocide charge, is through talks, says its media coordinator. But Serbia would not consider withdrawing its lawsuit charging Croatia with genocide before that country dropped its own charges of genocide, Slobodan Homen said on Tuesday. "Countersuit discussion once Croatia drops charges" "The government welcomes the announcement of a possible withdrawal of Croatia's charges of genocide against Serbia, but real action can only happen once Croatia files an official request with the International Court of Justice to withdraw the charges" Homen told Tanjug. Croatia's announcements of a possible withdrawal of the charges against Serbia are a great step forward in the two countries' relations, Homen believes, adding that the Serbian government expected real action from Croatia in the coming period. As for a series of issues between the two countries since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, Homen stressed Serbia had stated clearly more than once that the best way to solve issues was at the negotiating table. "We are aware there is a series of problems that date back to the 90s. Besides the lawsuit and countersuit, there is a series of issues we insist should be solved, most importantly the problem with property belonging to Serbs who are Croatian citizens, as well as residential rights," he pointed out. There is also the issue of numerous violations of human rights, as well as war crimes, he added. According to Homen those issues have to be addressed immediately, since the war ended more than 15 years ago, and the people still do not have the right guaranteed by the civilized world and the EU, that is the right to private property. Negotiations are needed to find a solution for more than 50,000 refugees who were stripped of property, apartments, houses and business facilities, Homen remarked. Croatia's Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic said on Friday Croatia would drop its charges against Sesrbia, but she was more reserved at a news conference on Tuesday, saying that the withdrawal would be considered once the issues related to missing persons, stolen property and war crimes were settled. Slobodan Homen (FoNet, file) Tanjug

"Countersuit discussion once Croatia drops charges"

"The government welcomes the announcement of a possible withdrawal of Croatia's charges of genocide against Serbia, but real action can only happen once Croatia files an official request with the International Court of Justice to withdraw the charges" Homen told Tanjug.

Croatia's announcements of a possible withdrawal of the charges against Serbia are a great step forward in the two countries' relations, Homen believes, adding that the Serbian government expected real action from Croatia in the coming period.

As for a series of issues between the two countries since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, Homen stressed Serbia had stated clearly more than once that the best way to solve issues was at the negotiating table.

"We are aware there is a series of problems that date back to the 90s. Besides the lawsuit and countersuit, there is a series of issues we insist should be solved, most importantly the problem with property belonging to Serbs who are Croatian citizens, as well as residential rights," he pointed out.

There is also the issue of numerous violations of human rights, as well as war crimes, he added.

According to Homen those issues have to be addressed immediately, since the war ended more than 15 years ago, and the people still do not have the right guaranteed by the civilized world and the EU, that is the right to private property.

Negotiations are needed to find a solution for more than 50,000 refugees who were stripped of property, apartments, houses and business facilities, Homen remarked.

Croatia's Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić said on Friday Croatia would drop its charges against Sesrbia, but she was more reserved at a news conference on Tuesday, saying that the withdrawal would be considered once the issues related to missing persons, stolen property and war crimes were settled.